As the little kiddies learn to read about this doll as if she’s a human being, one learns that, as fall turned into winter, Gwen’s mom lost her grip.

Mother and daughter started bedding down in a car.

For $95 — more than your average homeless person would dream of spending on a rather mediocre baby substitute — Gwen Thompson can be yours. A mixed message if ever there was one.

So I suppose it would be wrong to drop $20 to have Gwen’s hair done at the American Girl store in New York City. Let’s hope she doesn’t come with a spray bottle and a dirty rag for cleaning windows by the Lincoln Tunnel.